by John Atkins ILCA VP Youth World Championships
1. The boats are tuned to a specification that Brian Hayes, Bill Fastiggi & Greg Fisher came up with for the 2002 LYWC in Rochester and we have been using that formula ever since. It doesn’t favor any one cut of sail but depending on the conditions there may be an advantage but I am not really sure what those conditions are and whose sail performs better. I know we’ve had no complaints from the competitors about tuning as all the boats are tuned the same.
2. The competitors will not be allowed to make any tuning adjustments including mast blocking. If conditions are such that the organizers feel a change is necessary, then the organizers will make the change to all boats. We did this in Montreal when the wind forecast was for heavy air.
3.The teams rotate boats after each race. Depending on conditions and boat repair – this could happen on the water or it could happen back at the dock.
4.The sequence for boat rotation goes like this. A representative of the Organizers will inspect each boat while the team is still on the boat and determine if any damage has occurred while that team was using the boat. We have forms that identify damage and each team will need to sign the form if there is damage. While the review is going on the teams will removed their sails and collect their personal gear. When both boats are ready for rotation then the swap will occur. We try very hard to have a rotation where 2 teams swap boats. When there is an odd number of teams then we have a 3 way swap. The rotation is posted for that day only so the teams only know which 2 boats they will be sailing that morning. Typically we have only 2 races each day.
5. One of the things we stress and ask that each team report is equipment mal-function as well as any damage. This way the problems get fixed for the next team. I will say that this has been very successful because the teams realize that the boat they are getting is in good working order. We’ve had the teams point out warn shock cords as well as other items that could easily go un-noticed. It makes for a far better regatta as well as help in keeping the boats in top shape.
6. In past championships the Sailing Instructions are only available at the regatta site. The main reason for this is that no matter how many times these are reviewed by the Judges – they always find something to change. With the updates from ISAF in the past 2 years there is good reason to expect that there will be last minute changes.
7. The regatta organizers have decided that compasses will not be allowed for the Championship. Many of the owners of the boats that have been loaned use the Tactic Compasses and have elected not to provide these with their boats. Also, to make matters worse the Fleet Compasses that were going to be used to replace the Tactics, where stolen this spring. Since there is insufficient funds to purchase 10 to 15 compasses the Organizers’ have decided to remove compasses from the remaining boats and sail the championship without compasses. Please do not bring your compass as it will not be allowed to be used.”
8. The Regatta Organizers would like to ask each team to be represented in their Country colors (rather than just random shirts). This could be a team or preferably a country shirt. Or even better, with the World Cup in progress, consider wearing your country’s Soccer team shirt.
9. Since the sails that are being used for the Youth Worlds may be borrowed from more than one skipper and the changing of sail numbers on spinnakers can be difficult and even sometimes damaging, the Organizing Committee has decided to allow the second spinnaker, if it carries a different number, to be measured in and used with the following restrictions. 1) Both the mainsail and the primary spinnaker must carry the same sail number. 2) A second spinnaker with a different number may be measured in, but only used if the primary spinnaker is damaged beyond safe use. 3) The race committee must be notified of the change and shown the damage as soon as possible after the change has been made. 3) If the primary spinnaker cannot be repaired before the next race then the numbers on the second (spare) spinnaker must be changed to that of the mainsail before the next day’s racing.
10. The Regatta Organizers have offered the use of their Sunfish fleet to all team members on Thursday, July 22. Exact time for their use will be posted on the notice board at the yacht club.
11. Weather - I asked Paco about what we can expect for weather and this is his reply: Weather undergroundhttp://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=salinas,%20ecuador&wuSelect=WEATHER can give you an idea. You will mostly want to wear Bermudas or shorts and shirts, perhaps a light vest or polar fleece during the racing and at night. The sun doesn´t come out all too much during July but it still burns. It gets cooler at night but nice.
12. The Hotel Chipipe is close to the SYC, we will have a shuttle but it´s a short walk down three blocks to the beach and then there´s a one long block to the club.
One thing that should not be forgotten is the review of each members shots as well as recommended medications. I highly recommend talking with a travel health group, like Passport Health on this.
Feel free to contact me or Paco with any concerns.